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Hidden History: What's the amazing story behind the invention of the hex key?
A hex key, or Allen key, is a simple tool designed to drive screws or bolts that have an internal hexagonal groove. Behind this seemingly ordinary tool, there is an unknown history and development story. The hex key's design allowed it to be made from a stiff steel rod and bent into an L-shape. This design led to its rapid popularity in a variety of different industries, and today it is a fixture in nearly every garage or tool box. Standard.
The emergence of hexagonal keys not only improves work efficiency, but also improves worker safety to some extent.
The past and present life of the hexagonal key
Although the concept of hexagonal recessed screw drives was conceived as early as the 1860s to 1890s, actual production was delayed until 1910. Historian Rybczynski said there were many U.S. patents during that period covering various screw-drive designs, including square and triangular grooves. However, due to technical limitations at the time, these designs were not actually produced.
Inventive breakthrough
In 1908, Canada's P. L. Robertson commercialized the first square-groove screw, a breakthrough that spurred progress throughout the industry. Subsequently, William G. Allen patented the round hexagonal recessed screw in 1909-1910 and became known under his brand name Allen. Allen's design was able to apply more torque on the screw without slipping, making it more widely used in industry.
When Howard T. Hallowell Sr. described the development of the hexagonal key, he mentioned that this history was characterized by unusual competition and cooperation among many parties.
Changes in industrial safety
In the early 20th century, with the advancement of the industrial revolution, safety issues in factories became increasingly prominent. Hallowell noted that with the widespread use of hexagonal recessed screws, these lower-head screws significantly reduce the risk of workers becoming entangled in clothing, further promoting the adoption of hexagonal socket screws in various industries. This period of history has also become an important milestone in advancing the industrial safety movement.
The spread and popularity of hexagonal keys
World War II promoted the popularity of hexagonal keys to a certain extent, and many ordinary people began to come into contact with these hexagonal-driven screws. According to a report in Popular Science magazine, hexagonal slot screws have been widely used in the assembly of various types of products since 1946.
The beginning of popularization has made the hex key no longer an unpopular character in the tool box, but an indispensable part of daily life.
Design features of hexagonal keys
The hex key is a simple, compact and lightweight tool with six contact surfaces. This design can effectively protect the contact surfaces of screws and bolts from damage. In addition, the small head design allows it to adapt to various situations where the head is not in place and is difficult to operate manually.
Future Outlook
As technology advances, the design of hexagonal keys is constantly evolving. There are even hex keys with rounded ends on the market now, allowing these tools to be used effectively when installing screws at incorrect angles. However, this also brings some challenges, such as limiting the amount of torque applied.
Conclusion
In summary, the development history of the hexagonal key is the epitome of industrial innovation. Its popularity not only promotes the improvement of manufacturing efficiency, but also reflects the improvement of industrial safety awareness from one side. Behind this simple tool lies profound historical influence and technological progress. And what changes will hexagonal keys have in the future?
